Snowflakes Fall, But Not Us{**Taylor**}

[Vannessa Cross]

Vanessa dashed through the forest, on her way to the paddocks to see her horses.
Her long blonde hair flew back behind her as she ran, her mouth stretched out in a smile of joy as she laughed.
Why was she running, you ask?
She had met up at the barns with Taylor, and had challenged him to a race, not waiting for his reply before she had retreated across the cobblestones to the path through the woods.
She loved to feel young again like this, carefree.
Reaching the edge of the trees, she slowed, turning her head around to see where her friend was.
She had just met Taylor outside of the Dorm houses, by the swimming pool, and they had agreed to take a walk down to the paddocks to see each others' horses.

Hey Taylor, Was I too fast for you?

She said, stopping to see where the boy was.

[Taylor Sinte]

Taylor sprinted across the snowy forest floor, not too far behind Vanessa, considering the huge head-start that he had given her...
Tapping her on the shoulder, he passed her as she slowed in front of him, containing his laugh as she turned her head to look for him behind her on the path.

Nah, you cheated and I still technically got here before you..

He laughed, stopping in front of her, smiling mockingly.
Tossing the hair out of his brown eyes, he turned to the rows of paddocks, searching for his stallion, Gaspereau, out in his pasture.
After a few seconds, he spoke up.

So, shall we got and introduce each other to our horses? I'm sure Reau would love to meet you.

He smiled as he started on his way down the cobblestone roadway, which was covered with a light dusting of powdered snow from the morning.
Approaching the pasture gate, he leaned on the fence, digging into his jeans pocket for the apple that he knew was there.

Come here Reau! I have a treat for you boy!

He leaned his chin on his hands and waited for Vanessa to join him.

[Vannessa Cross]

Laughing, Vanessa turned around quickly at the sound of Taylor's voice so close behind her.

Taylor where the-

She jumped as he tapped her unexpectedly on her shoulder, and turned back around to face him, still laughing, gathering her breath after the hard run.

Oh, have it your way.. I won fairly!

She smiled as Taylor started off on his way to the paddocks, and jogged a few steps to catch up with him.
They soon reached the pasture gate, and Vanessa leaned up against the rail as she watched a dark bay stallion canter around the snow before slowly walking towards them, his ears pricked forward in expectation of what was coming up next.
Noticing all of the heavy blankets piled ontop of the beautiful horse, Vanessa wondered if the pair came from a warmer climate.
Unable to retain her curiosity, she spoke up.

So, where are you guys from? I hope you don't mind me asking.

[Taylor Sinte]

Taylor held out the treat to his horse and laughed as the stallion snatched it up, bobbing his head in thanks as he chewed on the carrot.
Listening to Vanessa's last question, he smiled at the thought of the warmer temperatures.

Well, we originally lived in Kentucky, but then my parent's got out of the race horse industry and decided that we should move to california, for some odd reason. We had the money, so we went. We had to sell all of our horses, because at the time we only had thoroughbreds, and we didn't see the point in shipping them helfway across the country.
I had Reau, so we were able to bring him with us.

He finished, patting the stallion on the nose affectionately.
Noticing that one of the blanket surcingles had fallen out of place, he hopped under the fence posts and adjusted the buckle.

But enough about me, where are you from?

He said, sliding back under the fence to stand beside Vanessa.
He wondered where her horses were, and tilted his head to the side, glancing around the pasture area in hopes that she would show him.

[Vannessa Cross]

Huh, you like Cali or what?

She asked as she tunred, leading the way away from the gate to the first paddock and walking farther down the cobblestone path to where her horses were turned out.
Halfway donw the road, she stopped at the entrance to the first paddock, where her mare and her gelding were kept.

Ayasha, Excaliber! I have a treat for you!

She called, laughing as mother and son threw up their heads, before taking off towards the gate to the pasture, their ears pricked straight forward in curiosity as they saw a new face following Vanessa down the path.
The two of them slid to stop at the fence line, their blankets ruffling up and their nostrils flared.
Whinnying, Ayasha shoved her nose through the fence posts, nuzzling Vanessa's pockets for a treat. Excaliber stretched his neck over his dam's back, nickering to his owner for his treat.

[Taylor Sinte]

It's alright, I guess.. I just don't like feeling so close to all of the big time gossip... You know? And I miss the wide open places that we had in Kentucky. Sure, we have out huge acreage with the farm, but no trails or too many other horse people...

He finished, turning to follow Vanessa farther up the walk to the gate of another paddock, where they were greeted loudly by two small horses.
Laughing as the mare reached her head through the posts to nibble at Vanessa's pockets, Taylor leaned up against the fence, reaching in slowly to let the gelding sniff at his outstreched hand before patting his neck.

Ayasha and Excaliber? Cool names.

He said, smiling as the playful gelding tugged on his hoodie sleeve, snorting in curiosity as he scented Reau's smell on the blue fabric.
Swishing his bangs out of his eyes, he smiled as the two horses impatiently waited for their treats.

What is their breeding? Their beautiful!

He said, remembering that Vanessa had mentioned that she also had a stallion, perhaps he was the gelding's sire? If so, he presumed he was an amazing horse.

[Vannessa Cross]

Vanessa smiled at his remark, feeding the two young horses their treats, carrots that she had taken the time to grab from the barn on her way up to the paddocks.

Thanks, my stallion sired the gelding. His name is Impulse.

She said, her voice filled with pride at the mention of her champion sire and show jumper.
Vanessa and Imp had placed high at many local and provincial shows, and it was her best friend's mother's prospect scout that had given her the opportunity to attend Willow Creek.
Before that, Vanessa never would have dreamed of ever riding at such high of a level, let alone attending Canada's biggest named riding academy.
Blinking, Vanessa turned back to her friend.

So, you wanna go and see him? he's just a few paddocks over.

She said, motioning to the paddocks farther up the pathway.

[Taylor Sinte]

Taylor widened his eyes in awe, admiring the fine young gelding's build. He would have loved a little guy like him, but he had a stallion, and he had already decided the that would be enough for what he wanted to do with his equestrian career at the time.

Wow, your stallion must have some pretty amazing bloodlines to sire such a beautiful colt, huh?

He asked her in interest, reaching through the white-washed fence posts to scratch Excalibre behind his clipped ears.
Following Vanessa's gesture farther up the path, he nodded eagerly in agreement to her question.

Most definately! After what you've told me, I can't imagine being dissapointed!

He laughed, following her as they started off down the snow-dusted pathway.

[Vannessa Cross]

Vanessa laughed at her friend's enthusiasm, smiling as Taylor remarked the obvious.

You bet! He's amazing!

She continued off on her way down the path, sure that Taylor was close behind her.
Breaking into a jog, she glanced behind her to make sure that Taylor was still on her trail.
Nearing the gate, she slowed down, springing up off of the ground and landing in the opposite direction, hoping her friend would come to a stop in front of her.

Don't look!

She said excitedly, hoping that her mood would catch on to him.
She wrapped her hands around his eyes, covering them up as she guided him down the path to the pasture where Imp was grazing.
As they approached the fence, the black stallion lifted his head and snorted in greeting.
Tossing his mane, he kicked up his hooves and galloped towards the fence, stopping a few feet short of the rails.

Hey boy, meet Taylor...

She said, not removing her hands from around his face, making him wait.

And Taylor, meet Impulse, my stallion!

She said, giggling as she released her grip from around his head and took a few steps back, waiting for what she hoped would be a positive reaction.

[Taylor Sinte]

Taylor laughed, surprised as Vanessa clasped her hands around his eyes, getting finger prints on his glasses. But he didn't mind, he was having a good time.

Don't look!

Her voice sounded excited as she urged him forward, farther still up the rest of the hill. After what seemed like only a few strides, Taylor was steered right and stopped on the grass, he presumed to be beside the paddock gate.

Impulse, meet Taylor.

She announced, appearently speaking to the stallion and not him.
Her games were making him impatient, and he resisted the urge to remove her hands from his face and just look at the horse already. But it was funny, so he waited.
Hoof beats sounded, approaching the fence as the unseen horse galloped across the snowy paddock, snorting as he greeted Vanessa happily.

And Taylor, meet Impulse, my stallion!

He smiled as her hands fell from his face, and he opened his eyes, looking up at a white nose as the friendly stallion sniffed at the stranger curiously.

You like me, boy?

He asked warmly, reaching up to rub the black stallion behind the pricked ears.

He's amazing! You do jumper, right? Maybe we could get together for a ride sometime.